Northern European nations, meanwhile, took eight of the top ten spots.

The index compares the ability of 150 countries to meet the needs of their retirees after examining 20 key performance indicators grouped into four broad categories: health, including life expectancy and access to quality health services; finances, including the strength of the nation’s financial system; quality of life, including factors like crime rates and air pollution; and material well-being, meaning the ability to live comfortably in retirement.

The global retirement index and individual rankings are then determined by a country’s score in each of these categories.

We’ve compiled the 21 highest-ranked countries for retirement, according to the index, along with insights from the Natixis report:

21. Qatar

Qatar.

Health: 7.9/10

Finances: 7.7/10

Quality of life: 5.1/10

Material Well-being: 8.1/10

Global Retirement Index: 71%

Rounding out the top 21, Qatar established itself as one of the strongest economies in the Gulf Region. The country also made an impressive leap from the 31st ranked country in 2014 t0 the 21st in 2015.

20. Slovenia

Ljubljana, Slovenia.

Health: 7.8/10

Finances: 5.7/10

Quality of life: 7.9/10

Material Well-being: 7.3/10

Global Retirement Index: 71%

Slovenia ranks high in quality of life, perhaps dues to the government's investment in renewable energies and its focus on reducing CO2 emissions. The country also has a universal healthcare system, high level of income equality, and a top-notch natural environment.

19. United States

Kapalua Golf, Hawaii.

Health: 8.0/10

Finances: 6.5/10

Quality of life: 7.8/10

Material Well-being: 6.4/10

Global Retirement Index: 71%

The US placed 19th out of the 150 nations analysed for the third year in a row. Despite is generally high quality of life and good health ranking, the US isn't one of the most financially stable places for retirees. It ranks relatively low for income equality compared to other developed countries and there are still high levels of government debt.

18. France

Burgundy, France.

Health: 8.6/10

Finances: 5.7/10

Quality of life: 8.0/10

Material Well-being: 6.6/10

Global Retirement Index: 71%

France barely made it inside the top 20 for its strong healthcare and Social Security system. The life expectancy of the country's residents made a significant jump from 81.5 years to 82.5 years over just 12 months.

17. Japan

Kyoto, Japan.

Health: 8.4/10

Finances: 5.4/10

Quality of life: 7.5/10

Material Well-being: 7.6/10

Global Retirement Index:71%

Japan climbed the charts from last year's ranking of 27 due to major improvement in its health ranking. Japan currently has the most hospital beds per capita: 14 beds per 1,000 people.

16. Belgium

Ghent, Belgium.

Health: 8.2/10

Finances: 5.8/10

Quality of life: 7.5/10

Material Well-being: 7.6/10

Global Retirement Index:72%

In Belgium, the government recently increased the retirement age from 65 to 67 to reduce spending and help create a more sustainable retirement system.

15. Czech Republic

Prague, Czech Republic.

Health: 8.1/10

Finances: 6.1/10

Quality of life: 7.6/10

Material Well-being: 7.4/10

Global Retirement Index:73%

The health system in the Czech Republic is very well-funded and resourced. The average life span is 78 years, longer than neighbours Slovakia (76 years) and Hungary (75 years).

14. South Korea

Incheon, South Korea.

Health: 7.5/10

Finances: 6.9/10

Quality of life: 6.7/10

Material Well-being: 8.3/10

Global Retirement Index:73%

The Republic of Korea ranked high in the material well-being sub-index, due to a better level of income equality, a $US2,500 increase in income per capita from last year, and a lower unemployment rate.

13. Finland

Helsinki, Finland.

Health: 8.1/10

Finances: 5.5/10

Quality of life: 8.7/10

Material Well-being: 7.6/10

Global Retirement Index: 74%

Like the other Nordic countries, Finland provides strong healthcare services. But what distinguishes it from the rest of the pack is its improvement in quality of life, thanks to the focus on lowering CO2 emissions and using renewable electricity generation.

12. Canada

Montreal, Canada.

Health: 7.6/10

Finances: 6.8/10

Quality of life: 8.1/10

Material Well-being: 7.2/10

Global Retirement Index:74%

Canada's economy performed better than most countries in 2014 -- as evidenced by its high ranking in the finances sub-index -- and growth in 2015 is projected.

11. Luxembourg

Luxembourg City.

Health: 8.4/10

Finances: 5.8/10

Quality of life: 7.8/10

Material Well-being: 8.4/10

Global Retirement Index: 75%

Luxembourg boasts one of the most prosperous economies and has the 5th highest income per capita. Additionally, it has an impressive healthcare system.

10. New Zealand

New Zealand.

Health: 7.8/10

Finances: 7.0/10

Quality of life: 8.4/10

Material Well-being: 7.0/10

Global Retirement Index: 75%

New Zealand continues to offer a high quality of life to its retirees, with low levels of air pollution and a very diverse natural environment.

9. Germany

Bacharach, Germany.

Health: 8.7/10

Finances: 5.9/10

Quality of life: 8.2/10

Material Well-being: 7.9/10

Global Retirement Index: 76%

Germany stayed in the top ten for the third year in a row. Its unemployment rate continues to decrease, and the nation also provides a strong healthcare system.

8. Austria

Austria.

Health: 8.8/10

Finances: 5.3/10

Quality of life: 8.6/10

Material Well-being: 8.4/10

Global Retirement Index:76%

Austria fell from its third-ranked position in 2014, but ranked highest in healthcare for the third year in a row.

7. Denmark

Copenhagen, Denmark.

Health: 8.2/10

Finances: 5.9/10

Quality of life: 9.1/10

Material Well-being: 7.8/10

Global Retirement Index: 77%

Denmark is often labelled one of the happiest places on earth. In addition to happy lives, the people generally live long lives: The life expectancy for the country's residents is now over 80 years.

6. Sweden

Stockholm, Sweden.

Health: 8.1/10

Finances: 6.4/10

Quality of life: 8.9/10

Material Well-being: 7.5/10

Global Retirement Index: 77%

Sweden's strong quality of life makes it an attractive place to retire. Its universal healthcare system, with high levels of physicians per capita and a high life expectancy, adds to its allure.

5. Netherlands

Amsterdam, Netherlands.

Health: 8.4/10

Finances: 6.2/10

Quality of life: 8.3/10

Material Well-being: 8.1/10

Global Retirement Index: 77%

The Netherlands moved up eight spots from last year. It improved its performance in the finance category, and also ranked among the top ten in the health and material well-being categories.

4. Iceland

Iceland.

Health: 8.1/10

Finances: 6.3/10

Quality of life: 8.6/10

Material Well-being: 8.1/10

Global Retirement Index: 77%

Iceland made it into the top ten for the first time, having ranked 11 in 2014 and 23 in 2013. Its efforts to stabilise public debt and improve its banking system paid off.

3. Australia

Sydney, Australia.

Health: 8.1/10

Finances: 7.3/10

Quality of life: 8.0/10

Material Well-being: 7.6/10

Global Retirement Index: 77%

Australia is the highest-ranked non-European country on the list. It also retained the top spot in the finances category, thanks to a growing economy, low levels of public debt, and low levels of inflation.

2. Norway

Stavanger, Norway.

Health: 8.4/10

Finances: 6.3/10

Quality of life: 8.8/10

Material Well-being: 9.5/10

Global Retirement Index: 81%

For two years in a row, Norway secured the second ranked spot on Natixis' list. It ranked first for material well-being, and also has a high quality of life and sound universal healthcare system.

1. Switzerland

Lucerne, Switzerland.

Health: 8.3/10

Finances: 7.0/10

Quality of life: 9.1/10

Material Well-being: 8.5/10

Global Retirement Index: 82%

Switzerland topped the list two years in a row with consistent performance across all four categories, and an incredibly high quality of life. If you're a golfer, hiker, skier, or enjoy staying active, the Swiss Alps might be the perfect place to spend your final years.

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